Amazing centenarians, past and present

Friday, May 23, 2014

As the U.S.'s oldest living person, Jeralean Talley, turns 115, we take a look at some of the world's most impressive seniors over the age of 100. Click through the gallery above to see them! Some sought achievements after their 100th birthdays, others survived long after astonishing accomplishments, and some just lived so long they impressed the whole world.

Born in Georgia on May 23, 1898, Talley now lives in Michigan and said she would spend her birthday getting a checkup at the doctor even though she feels fine, she said.

1. Jeanne Calment, died on August 4, 1997 at 122 years, 164 days, from France2. Sarah Knauss, died on December 30, 1999 at 119 years, 97 days, from the United States3. Lucy Hannah died on March 21, 1993 at 117 years, 248 days, from the United States4. Marie-Louise Meilleur died on April 16, 1998 at 117 years, 230 days, from Canada5. Mara Capovilla died on August 27, 2006 at 116 years, 347 days, from Ecuador

The research group says currently there are 74 supercentenarians in the world - persons over the age of 110 - 71 are female, three are male. Talley is No. 2 on the list, just behind Japan's Misao Okawa, pictured below, who is 116. Behind Talley on the list are Susannah Mushatt Jones of New York, and Bernice Madigan of Massachusetts, both set to turn 115 in July.